Canal excavating apparatus



H. c. LARUE ET AL 3,000,120

CANAL EXCAVATING APPARATUS Sept. 19, 1961 Filed May 14, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l ib /f j IN VEN TOR5 HERSCHEL 6. LARUE WALTER 6. PE TERSE/V w WZW ATTORNEYS Sept 19, 1 61 H. c. LARUE ETAL 3,000,120

CANAL EXCAVATING APPARATUS Filed May 14. 1957 -5lc| 52 97 87 j as u 54 L nos [Hi g i 49 42 HERSCHEL C. LARUE WALTER C. PETERSEN AM 1W ATTORNEYS opposite sides of the canal.

United States Patent Sacramento, Calif.

Filed May 14, 1957, Ser. No. 659,159

9 Clanns. (Cl. 37103) The invention relates to equipment for excavating canals, and, more particularly to improved apparatus for establishing the canals line and grade, for accurately excavating the canal preparatory to its being lined with concrete and for accurately establishing a pair of paths on Water distribution systems, particularly those encountered in irrigation projects, often comprise many miles of canals. To minimize water loss resulting from percolation through the canal walls, the walls are ordinarily lined with concrete, lining being effected by equipment moved along the previously excavated canal, the canal lining equipment forming or laying a continuous coating of concrete as it proceeds.

While the canal lining art has in the last several years advanced to a considerable degree, the equipment utilized in excavating the canal itself has not developed in comparable fashion. The establishment of canal line and grade 'is still ordinarily obtained by laying long lengths of track on opposite sides of the canal-to-be, to accurate grade and orientation. Track-laying is followed by placement of an excavation bucket at the point of origin, the bucket straddling the opposite tracks. The bucket is thereupon forcibly urged along between the tracks, excavating as it goes, and being maintained at proper depth and slope by reason of the previously installed tracks.

While such an arrangement has served in a reasonably satisfactory fashion, the cost of laying long sections of track, as well as the capital investment required thereby, has been considerable. Furthermore, since the same track used to establish the canals line and grade has also been utilized, heretofore, to support the canal lining machine, it has been necessary to leave the tracks in position until lining is completed, this requirement often leading to scheduling and other difficulties.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a canal excavating apparatus which is capable of effecting savings of many hundreds of dollars per mile of canal length.

It is another object of the invention to provide a canal excavating apparatus which does not require the installation of long stretches of track.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a canal excavating device in which the excavator track can be removed from the area as soon as excavation has been effected, it not being necessary to await completion of lining.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a canal excavator which not only accurately excavates to line, contour and grade, but which also provides a carefully aligned and graded pair of paths for use in the subsequent lining operation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a canal excavating apparatus that is substantially self-contained, the only requirement being some form of power equipment capable of dragging the excavating bucket along the canal line and of emptying the bucket when filled.

-It is a yet further object of the invention to provide a canal excavating device that is relatively inexpensive to make, yet which is strong, durable and long-lived.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an excavator which is vertically adjustable to provide close dimensional tolerances.

It is another object of the invention to provide an excavator in which lateral movement of the excavating bucket is held to close limits.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a canal excavating apparatus which is highly compatible with all present-day power equipment used in connection with canal excavation work.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a generally improved canal excavating apparatus.

Other objects, together with the foregoing, are attained in the embodiment described in the following description and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective showing the apparatus in a typical environment;

FIGURE 2 is a plan of the structure shown in FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 3 is a section, the plane of section being indicated by the line 3-3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a median vertical section, to an enlarged scale, the plane of section being indicated by the line 44 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a section comparable to that of FIGURE 3 showing, to an enlarged scale, the right-hand wing bucket structure;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation of the wing bucket structure of FIGURE 5, the channel being shown in outline more clearly to indicate the roller adjustment mechanism;

FIGURE 7 is a plan of the roller and attendant wing bucket structure.

While the canal excavating apparatus of our invention is susceptible of numerous physical embodiments, depending on the environment and requirements of use, at least one of the herein shown and described embodiments has been thoroughly tested and extensively used, and has performed in an eminently satisfactory manner.

The canal excavating apparatus, generally characterized by the numeral 11, includes two major components, a sled 12 and an excavation bucket 13, each of the components working and co-operating with the other, in integrated fashion, to achieve the desired result.

The sled :12 comprises a pair of spaced parallel channels 16 each including a vertical web 17, an upper flange 1'8 and a lower flange 19, the flanges opening laterally outwardly so that the webs 17 are in face to face relation. The channels 16 are held in rigid relation owing to the provision of a pair of cross-bars 21 mounted on, as by nuts 20, and extending between the channels, each of the cross-bars being-reinforced by a pair of diagonal braces 22 and, preferably, by a turnbuckle structure 23 mounted at least on the forward or leading one of the cross-bars 21.

The sled 12 is supported by the ground 26, the sled channels 16 straddling the margins of the canal to be excavated. Sled alignment is ascertained by reference to a plurality of previously installed pins 27, there being a.

row of pins spaced equi-distant from and on each side of the canal axis 28, or median line, the pins 27, in turn, having been located by reference to engineers stakes (not shown) located in conventional fashion adjacent the canal boundaries. The opposite rows of pins are located a distance apart such that when the sled is disposed in proper alignment, the outer margins of the channels are in close juxtaposition to and are confined within the pin rows, all as appears most clearly in FIGURES 1 and 2.

The three pins 27 shown in FIGURES l and 2 as being in contact with each of the channels are merely exemplary, it being understood that in some situations only two pins on each side would be adequate, particularly where a long straight reach of canal is involved. In any event, the pin rows are preferably established prior to commencing excavation, the pin rows extending sometimes for several hundred yards or even more.

As excavation is to be commenced, the sled is carried to the point of origin and there disposed between the pin rows. The canal is thereupon excavated, in a fashion hereinafter to be described, along the section located between the cross-bars 21.

The sled is thence moved, as by dragging, to the next adjacent advanced station, some overlap preferably being allowed. A bevel 30 on the outer leading end of the channels serves to guide the sled into the next or advanced position as the sled is dragged to such position. Abutment or impingement of the beveled edge 30 serves to direct the sled and to maintain proper alignment during the dragging operation so that in the advanced location the sled assumes the proper orientation in its position between the previously established rows of pins.

The pins 27 serve not only to establish sled, and thus canal alignment or orientation. The pins also fix the grade, or slope, or inclination of the sled, and thus of the canal, as will soon be described. B-y reference to the engineers stakes, the setters of the pins 27 drive the pins to a pro-established depth. This pin depth is such that when proper sled grade is elfected there is vertical coincidence between, for example, the top surface 31 of the adjacent channel and a scribe mark (not shown) on the pm at a predetermined distance, for example one inch,

from the pin top. It may sometimes be necessary when the sled has been dragged to a new location to removesome earth, at other times to deposit some earth, below the channel, at an appropriate location, to obtain the desired coincidence, and thus to establish an accurate grade for the section to be excavated.

As soon as the sled is located at proper grade and line, excavation can be commenced, the excavation bucket 13 being utilized in conjunction with the sled to accomplish the desired result.

The excavation bucket 13 comprises a main or central bucket 41 including a bottom plate 42 having a horizontal central portion 43 and a pair of upwardly and outwardly inclined sloping portions 44, the portions 43 and 44 defining the cross-sectional outline of the canal 45 as can be seen most clearly in FIGURE 3. The forward or leading edge of the bottom plate 42 is tapered, as appears in FIGURE 4, and merging with the taper is the tapered leading edge of a cutting blade 48 detachably mounted as by fastenings 49 on the forward end of the bottom plate 42.

The earth cut by the cutting blade 48 as the bucket is moved forwardly accumulates on the bottom plate 42 and is confined by a vertical back plate 51 merging smoothly with the bottom plate 42 at their junction. The top or upper edge of the vertical plate 51 is stiffened by an angle member52 mounted on the back plate and conforming to the arcuate and bowed shape of the back plate, as can be seen most clearly in FIGURES 2 and 3. A pair of vertical diaphragms 53 mounted normally on the lateral margins of the horizontal portion 43 of the bottom plate and secured, as well, to the back plate, serves to add even greater rigidity and strength to the bucket.

A large aperture 54 in each of the diaphragms does not materially detract from the stiffening efiect yet lessens the weight of the bucket and permits of ready lateral move ment through the aperture of earth scooped in by the bucket, thus equalizing the earth lead.

A draft bar, generally designated 61, extends laterally,

or transversely, between a pair of pads 62 welded on the opposite sloping sides of the bucket, the draft bar serving not only to stiffen the bucket, and to adjust, within limits, the angle of inclination of the bucket s sloping sides 44,

" but it also enables the bucket to be tilted, as will be described. a

A pair of turnbuckles 66 each threadably engaged at opposite ends with threaded stems 67' and 68 permits of equal angular adjustment of the sloping bucket sides 44 with respect to the horizontal central portion 43 of the bucket. 7

' Each'. of the outer stems 67 is appropriately secured to a rod 69 aflixed to the adjacent pad 62. The inner stems 68 are mounted on the adjacent transverse or outer ends of a bar 71. The bar 71 is, fora considerable portion of its length, encompassed by and secured to a heavy tube 72, and forming therewith a structure termed a center shaft 73, or bucket hinge shaft. The shaft 73 is rigidly secured to both of the diaphragms 53 and through the diaphragms tr-ansmits'to the bucket the major portion of the forces, exerted by the bucket tilting unit.

A pair of bearings 76 rotatably mounted on the shaft 73 serves as a junction with the power unit (not shown), a pair of brackets 77 upstanding from the bearings being secured, in conventional fashion, to the power unit. The brackets 77 and the bearings 7 6, in other words, transmit to the bucket the vertical or lifting force of the power unit, permitting the power unit to elevate the bucket when it becomes necessary to empty the bu'cket.

Angular inclination of the bucket about the transverse horizontal axis of the shaft 73 is obtained as follows. A hydraulic ram (not shown), or comparable device, extending from the power unit, is secured to a pin (not shown) extending between a pair of ears 81 projecting upwardly from a bracket 82, the bracket 82 being securely mounted on and extending between the shaft 73 and the back plate and angle member 5 2 of the bucket. Fore or aft motion of the hydraulic ram causes the bucket to tip or incline, accordingly, about the horizontal transverse axis of the shaft 73, rotation occurring about the bearings 76.

The power unit and hydraulic ram referred to above can be of the kind commercially recognized as a Warner & Swasey Gradall Model No. 2460. This device resemb'les the apparatus known as a back hoe or trench hoe, in some respects, and consists of a self-propelled power unit adapted to straddle and move along the line of the canal to be dug. Extending rearwardly from the unit is a telescoping boom actuated by a hydraulic system and rotatable about its own axis. The end of the boom is mounted, as by bolts or other suitable fastenings, on the pins 77. The power unit also includes a separate hydraulically actuated mechanism attachable to the ears (FIGURES 1 and 2) whereby the bucket can be til-ted with respect to the boom, similar to the movement of a persons wrist joint. When scooping is to be effected, the boom is telescopically extended in a rearward direction and lowered so that the bucket engages the earth. Then, the boom is retracted, causing the bucket to scoop the earth. When the bucket is full, the boom is raised and swung to one side or the other of the canal. Thereupon the boom is either rotated about its axis to effect dumping or, in the usual case, the separate hydraulic member is retracted, causing the ears 81 (and thus the bucket) to tilt into bucket-dumping position. The foregoing apparatus is widely known in the field and since it forms no part of the instant invention it is felt that no additional detailed description is necessary.

Comparable remarks are believed to apply concerning the structure used to drag the sled 12 along the canal line. It has been found that a simple wire cable, or bridle, (not shown) attached at its forward end to the self-pro pelled power unit and at its trailing ends to the sled channels 16, serves very well to pull or move the sled. In other words, as the bucket completes the excavation below the area defined by the channels 16 and the transverse members 21, the power unit is driven forwardly along the canal line, dragging the sled with it, to the next location, preparatory to excavating at that location. Here again, the bridle forms no part of the invention and it is believed that no further description is necessary.

Ordinarily, a series of one or more rough-cut passes, within the confines of the sled frame, would first be made, the rough-cuts-excavating the greater portion of the earth to be removed. Upon completion of the rough cuts, one continuous, final or smooth cut is made.

The final or smooth cut is accomplished by dragging the bucket from the rear to the front of the sled, with the bucket at least partly supported on the channels. At the opposite outer ends of the main bucket is mounted, in

mirror symmetry a pair of wing buckets 86, or fine grade cutters. Each of the fine grade cutters comprises an end plate 87 rigidly affixed to a bottom plate 90 of the bucket to an extension 44a of the sloping bottom portion 44 and to the angle member 52. Mounted normally to the end plate 87 at the forward edge thereof is a generally triangular-shaped member termed a deflector 88, or gusset. Below the gusset and secured to a flange 89 upturned from the bottom plate 90 is a transversely disposed bit 91, the bottom edge 92 of the bit serving to scrape the subjacent earth to an arcuate grade as the final or finish cut is made. An extension 51a of the back plate 51 serves as the rear wall of the wing bucket 86.

The grade elevation is controlled by appropriate vertical adjustment of a roller 95 rotatably mounted on and projecting laterally outwardly from a bracket plate 96 vertically adjustable with respect to the end plate 87 by virtue of a pair of fastenings 97, the bottom fastening being flush, as appears most clearly in FIGURE 5, the fastenings 97 being disposed, respectively, in an upper slot 98 in the bracket plate 96 and a lower slot 99 in the end plate 87.

As shown most clearly in FIGURES -7, each of the roller mechanisms 95 includes a roller 101 mounted preferably on an anti-friction bearing secured to a stub shaft 102, a housing 103 serving to prevent the entry of unwanted earth, dust and moisture into the mechanism.

As the final cut is made the roller 101 rolls along in engagement with the upper surface 31 of the channel 16. Since the channel 16, as previously described, is located properly both with respect to line and grade, and since the lower edge 92 of the bit 91 is adjusted to a pre determined location with respect to the lower rim of the roller 101, it is quite apparent that as the final cut is made, not only does the main bucket carve out an arcuately dimensioned channel, but the bit 91 cuts an armate path defined by the bits lower edge 92. Although the distance between the vertical channel web 17 and the adjacent face 106 of the bracket plate 96 appears to be substantial, for example in FIGURE 5, it is clearly to be understood that in actual practice the face 106 is at nearly all times in sliding engagement with the Web 17 of the channel. In other words, the opposite channel Webs 17 laterally confine or restrict the adjacent bucket members and thus force the bucket to follow an accurate predetermined line as the final pass is made.

It can therefore be seen that the canal excavator of our invention not only obviates the previous requirement of a long pair of tracks, but it also enables a canal to be excavated to a high degree of grade and line accuracy, and, furthermore, provides a pair of accurately oriented and graded paths on opposite banks of the canal, the paths being adaptable, for example, for use with pneumatically wheeled equipment capable of performing the subsequent operation of canal lining.

We claim:

1. A canal excavating apparatus comprising: an elongated rigid sled adapted to straddle the canal, said sled being capable of being oriented and inclined in a predetermined direction and slope, said sled including a pair of parallel channels providing a pair of parallel inner surfaces and a pair of co-planar upper surfaces; a main bucket including a bottom plate shaped to conform to the outline of the canal, a back plate mounted on the rear edge of said bottom plate; "and a pair of wing buckets mounted on the lateral extremities of said main bucket, each of said wing buckets including a vertical side plate, a back plate, a bit mounted on the lower leading edge of said wing bucket, a bracket plate adjustably mounted on the outer side of said side plate, and

6 a roller rotatably mounted on said bracket plate and adapted to be supported by and in rolling engagement with the adjacent of said channel upper surfaces, the outer side of said bracket plate being adapted to contact in sliding engagement the adjacent of said channel inner surfaces.

2. The canal excavating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sled channels are each further characterized by a bottom surface in co-planar relation with the other, and by a beveled leading end whereby said sled is guided to predetermined orientation as said sled is dragged from a first position to a second position with each of said channels disposed between a pair of rows of pins pre-set in the ground, and whereby each of said wing bucket bits is at grade as each of said channel bottom surfaces is supported on the ground at a predetermined elevation and :fore and aft inclination.

3. A canal excavating apparatus comprising an elongated sled of predetermined dimensions adapted to straddle a canal to be excavated, said sled being movable progressively along a canal as excavation proceeds, said sled including a pair of spaced parallel channels, a bucket having a bottom horizontal plate and a pair of outwardly and upwardly sloping side plates conforming to the cross-section of a canal, means for adjusting within limits the angle of inclination of the leading edges of said side plates relative to the leading edge of said bottom plate, and a back plate mounted on the trailing edges of said bottom plate and said side plates and cooperating therewith to receive material excavated as said bucket is advanced between one end of said sled and the other end thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized by a pair of bucket extensions disposed on the outboard ends of said bucket, said bucket extensions being located at an elevation above the top of the canal, and means on the outboard ends of said bucket extensions for supporting said bucket and said bucket extensions on said sled.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said bucket extensions includes a horizontal blade adapted to scrape a horizontal path along the adjacent margin of the canal, means for accumulating excess material scraped by said blade, and means for locating said blade at a predetermined elevation below the uppermost surface of said sled.

'6. A device for use with a channel excavating power unit comprising: a pair of cross-connected elongated members mounted in spaced parallel relation and supported on opposite channel banks; a primary bucket attachable to the power unit, said primary bucket conforming in cross-sectional shape to the outline of the channel; a pair of secondary buckets mounted on the lateral extremities of said primary bucket, each of said secondary buckets including means for [forming a substantially horizontal path in the subjacent channel bank; and means on said secondary buckets in contact with said elongated members for positioning said primary bucket and said secondary buckets at a predetermined elevation with respect to said elongated members.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said positioning means includes a pair of vertically adjustable rollers rotatably mounted on each of said secondary buckets, said rollers each being adapted to engage in rolling contact with the subjacent one of said elongated members.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said pair of crossconnected elongated members is attachable to a power unit for movement therewith along the channel line.

9. The device of claim 6 further characterized by means on said secondary buckets and engageable with said elongated members for laterally positioning said primary bucket and said secondary buckets with respect to said elongated members.

(References on following page) 7 8 Referen c es Cited in the file of-thjs patent I 2,196,513. Adlqr Apr, 9, 1940 V UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 849,082 Page' Apr. 2, 1907 27,138, France .1 Jan. 9, 1924 1,507,552 Adams et a1 Sept. 2; 1924 5 721,761 Great Britain Ian. 12, 1955 1,849,754 DEHOW 'Mar. #1 5, 1932 w 7 

